Animals

A close-up photo of a Red Palm Weevil, a type of beetle known for its elongated snout and red-brown exoskeleton. The weevil is shown resting on a tree trunk with its wings folded, and its segmented body and long antennae are visible.

Red Palm Weevil

Carausius morosus Herbivore: Eats palm trees Geography: Originally from tropical Asia, the red palm weevil has spread to Africa and…

A macro shot of a Stick Insect, scientifically known as Carausius morosus, photographed up close. The insect has a brown, stick-like body with thin legs and antennae, and its camouflage adaptation to mimic a twig is visible in the image.

Walking Stick

Carausius morosus Herbivore: Eats leaves Geography: Found on every continent except Antarctica in temperate and tropical regions  Habitat: Woodlands and…

An adult male Widow Skimmer Dragonfly perched on a water grass stem. The dragonfly has a long, slender body with a dark brown and white pattern, and its large, clear wings are visible in the image.

California Dragonfly

Aeshna palmata Carnivore: Larvae eat aquatic inhabitants and mosquitos, Adults eat any prey(insects) they can catch and sometimes other dragonflies…

This macro image shows a detailed view of an Asbolus beetle, a type of darkling beetle. The beetle is about 1 inch in length and has a dark blue or black exoskeleton with rough, warty bumps on its elytra (hardened forewings).

Blue Death Feigning Beetle

Asbolus Verrucosus Herbivore: Eats rotting plants and seeds, lichens and fungus Geography: Southwestern United States, Mexico Habitat: Desert Interesting facts:

A Mission Blue Butterfly perched on a twig. The butterfly has iridescent blue wings with black borders and white spots. The background shows more greenery and foliage.

Mission Blue Butterfly

Icaricia icarioides missionensis Herbivore: Eats leaves of Lupines or nectar Geography: San Francisco Bay Area and Marin County Habitat: Grasslands…

A vibrant and colorful Rainbow Grasshopper, also known as Dactylotum, captured in a photo showcasing its bright hues of red, yellow, green, and blue. The grasshopper is shown perched on a rock with its long hind legs and antennae clearly visible.

Rainbow grasshopper

Dactylotum variegatum Herbivore: Eats vegetation Geography: Southern Canada, Northern Mexico, North America Habitat: Desert Grasslands and prairies Interesting facts:

A close-up image of a large Stag Beetle, with its distinctive long, curved mandibles visible. The beetle has a shiny black exoskeleton and large, round eyes.

Stag beetle

Lucanidae Herbivore: Eats rotting wood, sap and fruit Geography: Europe and North America Habitat: Soil of desserts, rainforests and grasslands…

The Emperor Scorpion, a species of scorpion native to rainforests, photographed up close. The scorpion has a shiny black exoskeleton and large pincers, and its curved tail with a venomous stinger.

Emperor Scorpion

Pandinus imperator Carnivore: Eats insects, small animals, fruit files, crickets Geography: West Africa Habitat: Rainforests Interesting facts:

A Ceanothus Silkmoth, scientifically known as Hyalophora euryalus, photographed up close. TThe moth has a large wingspan with a pattern of brown and beige colors, and its distinctive eye spots on its wings. Its hairy body and antennae are also visible in the image.

Ceanothus Moth

Hyalophora euryalus Herbivore: As larvae, eats leaves, adults do not feed Geography: British Columbia east to western Montana, south through…

An orange butterfly with black markings perched on a cluster of orange cosmos flowers. The butterfly has its wings spread out, revealing intricate patterns of black veins and spots. The background shows other flowers and green foliage.

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus Herbivore: Eats nectar, milkweed Geography: Breeding grounds in northern United States and Canada, migrate to central mexico Habitat:…

A Goliath Birdeater, scientifically known as Theraphosa blondi, belonging to the tarantula family Theraphosidae. The large spider has a dark brown body with light-colored markings, and its long, hairy legs and two sharp fangs are visible in the image.

Goliath Birdeater

Theraphosa blondi Carnivore: Eats insects, frogs, rodents Geography: Amazon in South America Habitat: Rainforests Interesting facts:

Close-up photos of an Asian Rhinoceros Beetle, showcasing its intricate and beautiful exoskeleton pattern and texture. The beetle has a curved horn-like protrusion on its head and its large compound eyes are also visible.

Red Rhinoceros Beetle

Oryctes nasicornis Herbivore: Eats fruit, nectar, and sap Geography: Found on every continent except Antarctica,but native to Asia inbetween India…

A close-up photo of two big Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, scientifically known as Gromphadorhina portentosa. The cockroaches have dark brown exoskeletons with ridges and bumps, and their long antennae and distinctive horns on their thorax are visible in the image.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Gromphadorhina protentosa Herbivore: Eats mainly plants and fruit Geography: From the island of Madagascar Habitat: Hollow logs on forest floors…

A Mexican Red Knee Tarantula, scientifically known as Brachypelma smithi, running on yellow sand. The tarantula has a dark brown body with reddish-orange joints on its legs and its long black hairy legs are visible as it moves.

Red Kneed Tarantula

Brachypelma smithi Carnivore: Eats mainly insects, small mammals and reptiles Geography: Inhabits the Pacific Mountains of Mexico Habitat: Semi-desert and…

Close-up of a female Chinese Preying Mantis, also known as California Preying Mantis, sitting on a twig with its forelegs folded in front of its body.

California Mantis

Stagmomantis californica Carnivore: Consumes virtually any other insect it perceives as small enough to be eaten, including other members of…

A North American mountain lion (Puma concolor couguar), at the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure.

Mountain Lion

Puma concolor couguar Where do they live? The Americas, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes in South America What…

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) from the Sierra Chincua mountain range, Mexico.

Monarch Butterflies

Danaus plexippus Where do they live? North America What do they eat? Larvae eat milkweed; adults eat plant nectar Conservation Status: Least Concern…

An endangered Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

Malaysian Tiger

Panthera tigris jacksoni Where do they live? Southern and central Malay Peninsula What do they eat? Sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar,…

A lilac-breasted roller, Coracias caudatus, at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

Lilac-Breasted Roller

Psitteuteles goldiei Where do they live? Sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula What do they eat? Arthropods and small vertebrates such…

South Georgia king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus) at the Indianapolis Zoo.

King Penguins

Aptenodytes patagonicus Where do they live? South Atlantic and South Indian Ocean, northern reaches of Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego, Falkland Islands,…

An endangered, juvenile silvery gibbon (Hylobates moloch) at Bali Safari.

Juvenile Silvery Gibbon

Hylogates moloch Where do they live? Java, Indonesia What do they eat? Primarily fruit, also leaves, flowers, and insects Conservation Status: Endangered See…

Japanese sea nettle (Chrysaora pacifica) at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA.

Japanese Sea Nettle

Chrysaora pacifica Where do they live? The northwest Pacific Ocean (including Japan and Korea) What do they eat? Comb jellies, small…

A grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) at the Sedgwick County Zoo.

Grizzly Bear

Ursus arctos horribilis Where do they live? North America What do they eat? A variety of plants and animals such as moose,…

A gray wolf (Canis lupus) at the Alaska Zoo.

Grey Wolf

Canus lupus Where do they live? Eurasia and North America What do they eat? Wild large and medium-sized hoof animals such as…

Mei Lun and Mei Huan, the twin giant panda cubs (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) at Zoo Atlanta.

Giant Panda Cubs

Ailuropoda melanoleuca Where do they live? China What do they eat? Mostly bamboo, occasionally wild tubers, other grasses, rodents, and birds. Conservation…

Three Eastern Grass Owls (Tyto longimembris chinensis) at Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) in Cambodia.

Eastern Grass Owls

Tyto longimembris chinensis Where do they live? Eastern, Southern, and Southeast Asia, also found in New Guinea, Australia and the western…

A portrait of a federally endangered peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) at Raptor Recovery in Nebraska.

Peregrine Falcon

Falcon peregrinus Where do they live? All over the world, including right here in Berkeley! What do they eat? Medium-sized…

A platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) at the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary in Melbourne, Australia.

Platypus

Ornithorhyncus anatinus Where do they live? Eastern Australia What do they eat? Worms, shrimp, and crayfish Conservation Status: Near threatened…

A red octopus (Octopus rubescens) at Aquarium of the Pacific.

Red Octopus

Octopus rubescens Where do they live? Shallow coastal Pacific Ocean What do they eat? Mollusks, crabs, and barnacles Conservation Status:…

A federally endangered cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) at the Denver Zoo. This species is listed as vulnerable by IUCN.

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus Where do they live? Africa and central Iran What do they eat? Small to medium-sized prey such as impala, springbok,…